1925 Medal Norse American, Matte Gold

Coin Details

Auction Record

$64,625 PR66 11-29-2012 Heritage Auctions

Description

The 1925 Norse American matte gold medal is the rarest and most valuable version of the centennial commemorative, struck in gold with a matte finish that gives the surface a soft, satiny appearance distinct from the brilliant luster of standard proof gold pieces. The matte finish was achieved by striking with sandblasted dies, a technique that was fashionable for prestige medals and coins in the early twentieth century — the U.S. Mint used it for proof gold coins from 1908 to 1915. The gold composition elevates this medal to the highest tier of the Norse American series. James Earle Fraser's designs — the Viking ship obverse and kneeling warrior reverse — are rendered with exceptional clarity on the gold surface, as gold's superior malleability allows the metal to flow into even the finest die details under striking pressure. The matte finish prevents the bright reflectivity that can sometimes obscure fine details on proof-like surfaces, allowing the full artistry of Fraser's work to be appreciated in a warm, golden glow. The Norse American gold medal was produced in very limited quantities for presentation to dignitaries and VIPs associated with the centennial celebration, which President Coolidge attended in person. The gold version occupies a position analogous to the gold strikings of official U.S. commemorative coins that were sometimes produced in tiny numbers for special presentation — pieces that transcend ordinary numismatics to become objects of historical significance in their own right.

Rarity Notes

The gold version is extremely rare, with only a small number produced for presentation purposes. One of the key items in the Norse American series and among the most valuable American commemorative medals of the twentieth century.

Cross References

PCGS #9452; NGC #722005; Norse-American Centennial 1825-1925; designer James Earle Fraser